Matsushima, Miyagi
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (July 2014) |
Matsushima
松島町 | |
|---|---|
Town | |
 Top left:Matsushima Port, Top right:Togetsukyō Bridge with Ojima, 2nd left:Matsushima Marinpia Aquarium, 2nd right:Zuigan temple, 3rd left:Godaidō, 3rd right:Entsuin, Bottom left:Atago Shrine, Bottom right:Matsushima Coast Railroad Station | |
 Flag  Seal | |
 Location of Matsushima in Miyagi Prefecture | |
| Country | Japan |
| Region | Tōhoku |
| Prefecture | Miyagi |
| District | Miyagi |
| Government | |
| • -Mayor | Tateo Ohashi (since April 2007) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 54.04 km2 (20.86 sq mi) |
| Population (June 2014) | |
| • Total | 14,642 |
| • Density | 271/km2 (700/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+9 (Japan Standard Time) |
| - Tree | Pine |
| - Flower | Sekikoku |
| Phone number | 022-354-5701 |
| Address | 10 Takagi-aza-chō, Matsushima-machi 981-0215 |
| Website | Official website |
Matsushima (松島町, Matsushima-machi) is a town located in Miyagi District, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan. As of June 2014, the town had an estimated population of 14,642 and a population density of 271 persons per km². The total area was 54.04 km². It is most famous as the location of Matsushima Bay, one of the Three Views of Japan, and is also the site of the Zuigan-ji, one of the most famous Zen temples in Tōhoku, Entsū-in and Kanrantei.
Geography
Matsushima is located in east-central Miyagi Prefecture,with Matsushima Bay to the east. The town’s highest point is Mount Danyama, with a height of 178.0 meters.
Neighboring municipalities
- Miyagi Prefecture
History
The area of present-day Matsushima was part of ancient Mutsu Province, and has been settled since at least the Jomon period. The Daikigakoi Shell Mound is one of the largest shell middens to have been discovered in Japan. With the establishment of Tagajō in the Nara period, Matsushima was part of the Yamato colonization area in the region. During the Sengoku period, the area was contested by various samurai clans before the area came under the control of the Date clan of Sendai Domain during the Edo period, under the Tokugawa shogunate.
The modern village of Matsushima was established on June 1, 1889 with the establishment of the municipalities system. It was raised to town status on December 16, 1963.
Economy
The economy of Matsushima is largely based on tourism and commercial fishing, primarily the cultivation of oysters in Matsushima Bay.
Transportation
Railway
- East Japan Railway Company (JR East) – Tōhoku Main Line
- East Japan Railway Company (JR East) – Senseki Line
Highway
- Sanriku Expressway (Matsushima-Ōsato IC — Matsushima-Kita IC)
- National Route 45
- National Route 346
Seaports
- Port of Matsushima - Matsushima Kankō Yūran Line
Local attractions
International relations
International sister cities
France – Isle of Pines, New Caledonia, since September 4, 1980
Japanese sister cities
- August 1, 1987: Kisakata, Akita
- October 16, 1988: Kamiamakusa, Kumamoto (formerly known as Matsushima)
Noted people from Matsushima
- Jun Senoue – musician
References
External links
